The short version

  • Antiperspirant blocks sweat with aluminium salts. Natural deodorant doesn’t stop sweat, it tackles the smell.
  • Many people find the first week or two feels different while they get used to sweating normally again.
  • Apply to clean, dry skin, reapply at lunchtime to begin with, and wear breathable fabrics.
  • If a deodorant makes your skin red or itchy, stop using it and try another formula.

Our Natural Deodorant Stick is one of our top three best sellers, and a lot of the people buying it are making the switch from antiperspirant for the first time. Here’s what actually changes, what to expect, and how to make the first few weeks easier.

Deodorant and antiperspirant aren’t the same thing

It’s easy to use the words interchangeably, but they work in completely different ways.

Antiperspirant Natural deodorant
What it does Reduces how much you sweat Keeps you smelling fresh
How Aluminium salts temporarily plug the sweat ducts Plant ingredients and essential oils tackle odour and add scent
Will you sweat? Less Yes, normally

Sweat itself barely smells. The odour comes from bacteria on the skin breaking down sweat. A deodorant works on that part of the process, so you stay fresh without being stopped from sweating.

What to expect in the first few weeks

Lots of people say the first week or two feels a bit off: more dampness than they’re used to, and sometimes a stronger smell than usual. You’ll often see this called a “detox”, but there’s no good evidence that your armpits are getting rid of toxins.

The likelier explanation is simpler. Your sweat glands are working normally again, and the bacteria on your skin are adjusting to the change. Many people find things settle within a couple of weeks.

How to make the switch easier

  1. Start on a quiet week. Avoid switching the day before a big meeting or a wedding.
  2. Apply to clean, dry skin. Deodorant works best on freshly washed skin, so put it on after your shower, once you’re fully dry.
  3. Reapply at lunchtime for the first couple of weeks, until you know how long it lasts for you.
  4. Wash with a gentle soap. A bar like our Patchouli and Sandalwood Soap cleans well without stripping the skin.
  5. Wear breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen and wool let sweat evaporate. Tight synthetics hold onto it.
  6. Top up your scent. A roll-on perfume made with essential oils fits in a pocket.
If your skin reacts

Some natural deodorants contain bicarbonate of soda, which some skin doesn’t get on with. If you get redness, itching or a rash, stop using it. Every product page lists the full ingredients so you can compare.

Stick or spray?

Natural Deodorant Stick. A plant-based stick made with plant oils, unrefined butters and essential oils, in a plastic-free push-up tube. It’s aluminium-free, paraben-free and vegan. It’s sold as a men’s deodorant, but it’s suitable for anyone.

Perspir8 Natural Botanical Deodorant. A spray made from plant-based ingredients, with around 400 sprays per bottle. It’s free from aluminium salts, parabens, SLS and SLES, propylene glycol and silicone. Good if you prefer something that dries quickly and doesn’t need rubbing in.

When antiperspirant might still be the right choice

If you sweat heavily enough that it affects your daily life, you may have hyperhidrosis, a common condition. It’s worth talking to your GP, as there are treatments that can help.

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Questions we get asked

Will I smell?

A good natural deodorant should keep you fresh through a normal day. The first couple of weeks can be more mixed while your skin adjusts, which is why reapplying at lunchtime helps.

Will it stop the yellow marks on my white shirts?

Yellow underarm marks are usually linked to aluminium in antiperspirant mixing with sweat, so many people find they get fewer after switching.

Can women use the men’s stick?

Yes. The stick is suitable for anyone. It’s the scent that’s aimed at men.

How long does a stick last?

It depends how much you use, but you only need a couple of light swipes under each arm.

Next: what SLS is and who might want to avoid it, and plastic-free bathroom swaps that actually work.